Organic Ham

Organic ham is a cut of pork from a pig's leg, prepared according to USDA organic standards. This means the pigs are raised without antibiotics, fed organic feed, and have access to the outdoors. The ham is typically cured (preserved with salt, sugar, and sometimes nitrites/nitrates) and often smoked or cooked.

Manufacturers add organic ham to products primarily as a source of protein and for its savory flavor. It is commonly found in packaged foods such as frozen breakfast sandwiches, deli meat selections like pepperoni and salami, and various prepared meals.

Ham is a whole food ingredient and not a food additive, so it does not have an FDA GRAS status or an E-number. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified processed meat, which includes ham, as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). Processed meats like ham can be high in sodium; the FDA Daily Value for sodium is 2,300 mg. JECFA and EFSA typically evaluate food additives and do not set limits for whole food ingredients like ham.